We are all dealing with a lot of stress in our lives. Occasional anxiety is normal in humans, whether it is caused by work, studies or relationships. Life is full of ups and downs and some situations can make us worry such as, taking a test, making an important decision, or going for an interview. However, anxiety disorders are different from the nervousness that you may feel, the symptoms are more extreme. Instead of occasional stress or nervousness, they involve excessive fear or anxiety. Anxiety disorder is the most common mental illness in the world. Several adults and adolescents experience it frequently, it is not limited to any age. Anxiety is linked to muscle tension and avoidance behavior. It not only affects your mental health, but it also robs you of many wonderful life experiences. People with anxiety tend to avoid social situations, for example, get-togethers with family, hangouts with friends, and even work. Anxiety can negatively impact your school or job performance, if not treated on time.

Are Anxiety Disorders Really That Common?

Anxiety disorders, especially in the United States, are more widespread than you may think. Around 30% of adults have experienced or currently have an anxiety disorder. In the previous two years, the COVID-19 pandemic led to an increase in mental illnesses. Many people felt the symptoms of anxiety and depression during this time. According to a recent study, cases of anxiety disorders are on the rise globally and females were more affected than men.

What Are the Symptoms of Anxiety Disorders?

Anxiety disorders are not a single condition but a group of connected problems, which is why symptoms may vary from person to person. It has different types including, panic disorder, phobias, social anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Some people may experience panic attacks without a warning, nightmares, stomach pain, painful thoughts, and overthinking without control. Increasing heart rate, restlessness, and difficulty sleeping are also common symptoms. You may not experience all of these symptoms as it depends on the type and severity of your anxiety disorder. However, general fear or worry is present in every anxiety disorder. 

How Can Anxiety Be Diagnosed?

Anxiety cannot be diagnosed by a single test, it requires a series of evaluation and psychological questionnaires. To find a diagnosis, a mental health professional would need you to share your thoughts, feelings, and stress-related events or triggering situations. Anxiety can be linked to other mental health problems as well such as depression. It is important to receive a proper diagnosis before moving to the next and critical step, which is treatment.

How Are Anxiety Disorders Treated?

Like any physical health condition, mental disorders also require treatment. In recent years, there has been a rise in mental health awareness, as well as advancements in research. Anxiety disorders can be treated in two ways.

Psychotherapy

Mental health professionals such as psychiatrists or psychologists are skilled in managing anxiety disorders. They can devise a treatment plan for you that will be pretty helpful for coping with anxiety. A psychotherapist uses a variety of strategies, for example, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy or Exposure Therapy. After diagnosis and learning more about your mental disorder, therapists help you learn different ways to manage intrusive thoughts. Although not every individual needs psychotherapy, lifestyle changes may also work for some people, but it is always better to seek professional help.

Medications or supplements

Psychiatrists are the mental health experts who, based on your mental disorder, can prescribe medications to you, depending on your mental disorder. They can be antidepressants or anti-anxiety pills, and they are proven to be effective in many cases. Along with these medications, there are several other alternatives available nowadays, one of which is CBD oil. Many people have benefited from it, so you can use the oil for anxiety disorders, too.

Conclusion

We understand that anxiety disorders can be tough to deal with, and they can make your life daunting. Getting a proper diagnosis and following the treatment can help you with your anxiety in the long term.

It’s a big statement, but true: senior dogs can live happier and healthier lives with the right attention to their joints. It may be too late for some dogs to improve their joint health by a lot, but even giving some of these older dogs a few extra years of quality life will make a world of difference to your dog.

About 80 percent of dogs in the United States 11 years and older will suffer from some form of arthritis, according to WebMD. Your dog might not even realize that his joints hurt if he has arthritis, but it is possible to alleviate squeaking and clicking sounds caused by inflamed joints with these simple steps:

1. Give your senior dog glucosamine

Using a product such as Cosequin is one of the best things you can do for your dog’s joint health. It has glucosamine, which helps dogs’ bodies heal and regenerate cartilage. If you don’t see results with one brand of glucosamine, try another to find out what works best with your pet. Don’t give your dog too much, however; according to WebMD, you should follow the instructions on the label of whatever supplement you use.

2. Help your senior dog lose weight

An obese pet is an unhealthy pet, and it has a very high chance of developing arthritis while carrying around extra pounds. Pets are also more likely to develop diabetes, heart disease, and other health issues when they are overweight. It’s not easy to help your dog lose weight on his own; if you think this is an issue for your pet, please consult with your veterinarian about canine obesity.

3. Give your senior dog some exercise

A great way to improve joint health in older dogs is to make sure they get the exercise they need. Of course, you don’t want to overexert your dog by putting him through strenuous activities he may not be able to handle. But some slow-paced walks and easy playtime can go a long way toward keeping your older pet active and happy.

4. Make sure your senior dog is healthy overall

If your senior pet is taking any kind of medication, or if he has any health problems other than arthritis, it can affect his joint health. If you notice that your dog’s joints seem worse when he takes a certain type of medicine, talk to your veterinarian about changing it. That way you should be able to minimize the side effects and keep your dog healthy.

5. Talk to your vet about supplements

Your veterinarian may be able to prescribe a medication that will improve your senior dog’s joint health significantly. Don’t hesitate to ask if there is anything you can do to make the time with your pet more pleasant and comfortable for him, even when he gets older. You would see many vets suggest CBD oil for dogs, but do not worry as CBD isn’t harmful if taken as recommended.

The best thing to do for arthritis in senior dogs is to keep them as comfortable and active as possible. By giving your dog glucosamine, taking him on walks, making sure he gets plenty of exercises, keeping him trim and healthy, and talking with your veterinarian about the best options for his particular case you should be able to make your aging dog happy and healthy for years to come.

Up to 80% of dogs over the age of 10 years will be affected by arthritis to some degree. It’s one of the most common conditions in our canine companions. While there is no cure for arthritis, there are many treatments available that may help improve your dog’s quality of life and help him continue to enjoy his favorite activities.

Arthritis is a condition that occurs when there is inflammation of one or more joints in the body. Dogs with arthritis often experience stiffness, difficulty walking and limping on the affected limbs, lameness, and a decrease in appetite and energy levels. Arthritis can be extremely painful for dogs leading to them exhibiting some very “un-doglike” behaviors, such as being less active or vocalizing when they are in pain.

5 safe exercises for dogs with arthritis

The good news is that there are many things you can do with your dog to help improve the symptoms of arthritis and allow him to continue doing the activities he loves.

Exercise is one of the best things you can do for a dog with arthritis. It helps keep his joints flexible, maintains muscle tone, builds endurance, prevents excess weight gain, which puts more stress on the joints, and provides pain relief by promoting blood flow to the joints.

Here are our top five exercises that help dogs with arthritis stay happy and healthy.

1) Stairs

Limping up the stairs is no fun for any dog, but stairs are a great way to ensure your pet gets enough exercise every day.

Stairs are also helpful for dogs experiencing shortness of breath and pain when going up and down hills or inclines. By using stairs you can help your dog get the exercise he needs while avoiding any difficult terrain, such as hills or hard floors.

Here’s how to make it work: Make sure your dog is steady on his feet. If he is unsteady on stairs, start by holding onto him or guiding him up and down with a harness. Gradually work towards getting your pet to go up and down without any help from you by gradually increasing the number of steps he takes each time. Also, try building additional muscle strength in his back end by using a resistance band to help him up and down the stairs. There are a number of ways you can do this, from holding it in place while your dog walks up the steps or wrapping it around his back end for additional support.

2) Slow Swimming

Slow, easy swimming is a great way to keep your pet active while giving his painful joints a rest. It also stimulates blood flow to the muscles, which can reduce pain and improve mobility.

The key here is slow swimming. Many dogs will instinctively swim faster when they are in open water, but this type of activity should be avoided because it puts more stress on the joints than swimming slowly through flat water. To make sure your dog doesn’t overdo it, use a life vest while you’re swimming to give him additional support and keep him from fatiguing himself quickly.

3) Massages

A massage can be a wonderful way to help your pet get rid of pain and feel relaxed after a long day of activity. Just make sure to start off slowly so that your dog doesn’t get overwhelmed. Here’s how to do a simple massage:

Start by gently pressing your hands into your pet’s limbs and massaging in a circular motion. Gradually work your way up the body, paying careful attention to more sensitive areas, such as around the joints or under the tail. If you find an area that feels particularly painful, spend more time massaging it.

4) Low-impact activity with a buddy

Sharing activities with your pet is a great way to spend quality time together and help him ease some of the symptoms of arthritis.

Many dogs will benefit from playing low-impact fetch or going for a walk, as long as they have a comfortable harness. When playing fetch, choose a ball that your pet can carry in his mouth without dropping. If he is still able to run and wants to play fetch but has trouble bringing the ball back, try placing it at his feet while encouraging him to pick it up or by using a retrieval toy designed for dogs with arthritis. In addition, if your dog is a fan of tug-of-war, make sure to modify the game by using a flat toy rather than pulling at his limbs directly.

5) Stretching exercises

Stretching is an important part of any workout because it keeps muscles flexible and helps reduce soreness after exercise. Here are two stretches your dog can do on his own:

Have your dog lie on his side and put a little pressure on the opposite shoulders to encourage him to stretch out that leg. Have your pet sit up and gently lean forward with his head down, encouraging him to stretch out the neck muscles.

By taking these simple steps you can help your dog continue living a full life without pain. Just remember that when choosing activities for your pet, it’s always best to start off slow and work your way up. Also, it’s a good idea to add turmeric or organic hemp extract to your pet’s diet so they can get the extra anti-inflammation.